Strategy Consultant CV example

You already know how to build strategy decks that land in the boardroom – now it’s time to make sure your CV does the same. This guide takes you step-by-step through writing a CV for the senior roles you’re after.

From how to write up your most impactful projects to what kind of achievements to quantify, you’ll learn how to present your experience in a way that’s pitch-ready.

A strong CV isn’t just about what you’ve achieved – it’s about how clearly you present it. Strategy roles often attract highly capable candidates, so your CV needs to stand out at first glance. A well-structured layout makes it easier for recruiters and decision-makers to assess your impact and understand your experience without having to dig for detail.

Here’s the structure to follow:

• Name and contact details – Keep your name and personal details front and centre at the top. Whether or not to include a photo is your decision.
• Profile – Start with a snapshot of your skills, career highlights, and professional aspirations.
• Core skills – Focus on core skills like making it easy for employers to see your key strengths at a glance.
• Work experience – Walk through your professional experience, beginning with your latest position and moving backwards.
• Education – Outline your education and certifications, focusing on those most relevant to the role.
• Additional info – This section is optional, but it’s a good place for hobbies and interests that complement your CV.
  

Keep it concise: no more than two pages in length. Use clear section headings, bullet points to break up dense content, and a readable, professional font throughout. An appealing CV format which follows these tips helps recruiters and partners instantly pick out the most relevant details – and shows that you know how to communicate value with zero wasted space.

This opening paragraph is your executive summary – a high-level overview of what you’ve done and the commercial value you bring. It’s your opportunity to demonstrate that you deliver genuine results which provide tangible value to your firm.

Tailor the CV profile to match the kinds of roles you’re applying for. Highlight client-facing strengths, internal transformation projects, and the industries or functions where you’ve made the biggest impact.

Make sure your profile includes:

• Where you worked – State the type of consultancy or in-house environment you worked in to indicate your exposure and level of client or stakeholder engagement.
• Your top qualifications – Mention any degrees, MBAs, or certifications that support your commercial and analytical capabilities.
• Essential skills – Summarise the consulting abilities you bring to the table, such as strategic planning, market analysis, stakeholder management, or performance improvement.
• Specialisms or sectors – Briefly outline whether your expertise lies in areas like digital strategy, operational efficiency, M&A, or industry-specific work.
• Value delivered – Explain how your work has produced measurable results for clients or employers, such as increased revenue, reduced cost, or accelerated growth.
  

Your CV skills section should focus entirely on hard, practical consulting capabilities – things that hiring managers can check off against a project brief or client proposal. Avoid generic claims like “strong communicator” and instead focus on commercial and technical strengths.

Prioritise skills that appear in the job description or that reflect the type of clients and sectors you’re targeting. That should include tools and methodologies, such as Power BI, Excel modelling, SWOT/PESTLE analysis, or Lean frameworks – recruiters are looking for people with those competencies.

This is where your consulting career becomes concrete. Employers want to see the scope of your past roles, the clients or projects you worked on, and – most importantly – the outcomes.

Make sure to mention the industries you served and the scale of the engagements. Where possible, quantify results to demonstrate your commercial impact. Go through your work experience in reverse order, with your most recent or senior experience first. 

For each role, start with a concise overview of the company and your position, then use bullet points to describe your key responsibilities and achievements.

• Outline – Describe your employer and your place within the consulting structure. Mention whether you worked in an external firm or in-house, and give context on your team or client base.
• Responsibilities – Use action words like “advised” and “delivered.” For example: “advised multinational client on digital transformation roadmap” or “delivered market analysis for new product launch across EMEA.” Mention specific tools or frameworks used where relevant.
• Achievements – Focus on measurable outcomes – whether it’s revenue growth, operational improvements, or process optimisation. If you led or contributed to strategic wins, highlight those clearly.

A strong academic background is often essential for strategy consulting roles, especially if you’re targeting well-known firms or aiming to move up to senior consultant or principal level. This section should demonstrate both your intellectual foundation and any sector-specific expertise.

Start with your most recent qualification. This may include a degree in Business, Economics, or a STEM subject, followed by an MBA or further postgraduate study. Consulting-specific certifications or executive education also hold value – especially those related to leadership or finance.